Active hand controller system

Abstract: A state detector and loop compensation parameter controller (10) is devised for use with an active hand controller system having a single hand controller (30) or having first and second hand controllers (30, 40), processing and control means (44b', 48', 52', 56') for the hand controllers and a flight control computer (60). The state detector and loop compensation parameter controller (10) accepts a plurality of inputs and provides a plurality of adjustment signals to the processing and control means to improve the performance of the active hand controller system.

Description: This invention is related to an active hand controller system according to the preamble of the independent claim 1. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to a control system of the type wherein manual control devices such as a control stick are provided which have an electro simulated variable rate feel. Hand controller systems having this electro simulated variable rate feel are commonly referred to as active hand controllers and may e.g. taken from EP-A-0 483 773, which discloses a system of the above-mentioned type. They utilize electric motors to produce desired hand controller force and position response. These systems require sensors which can provide accurate and stable information about the position of the hand grip and the force or torque exerted upon the hand grip by the operator. The present invention relates specifically to servo motor response in an active hand controller. In the past, servo motor response in a active hand controller has been adversely affected by requirements for large peak motor forces and stable operation with a large null detent, i.e., a large nonlinearity in the force vs. displacement characteristic of the control stick. Control system designers must select several control loop parameters such as integrator time constant, loop gain, proportional gain, damping and motor controller force gain when designing a system. The selection of control loop parameters is made more difficult because the parameters interact and affect one another. In addition, the loop parameters must provide satisfactory operation over a wide range of operating environments. In the past, the parameter selection process typically proceeds by selecting a motor controller force gain to meet the system peak force requirement when the integrator output is near its maximum output. Then by using simulation techniques, analysis, and lab tests the remaining control loop parameters are iteratively selected to achieve the best system response and stability. Aircraft control systems operate over a wide range of conditions and system performance could be enhanced by modifying the control loop parameters for different conditions. For example when only small system force is required a small motor controller gain could be used and the remaining parameters could be adjusted for fast response. Conversely when peak motor force is required the motor controller gain could be increased and the remaining parameters could be adjusted for stability. Thus a need exists for a particular servo control system for an aircraft control stick that provides for adjusting the control loop parameters according to operating conditions. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves these and other needs by providing an active hand controller system as stated above comprising the features of the caracterising portion of claim 1. The present invention may also be used in an active hand controller system which has two hand controller means. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a graph showing the relationship of the force applied to a hand grip of an active hand controller versus hand controller movement or displacement. FIG. 2a is a diagram of a servo control loop for coupled active hand controllers. FIG. 2b is a diagram of a servo control loop for a single active hand controller. FIG. 3a is a diagram of a servo control loop for coupled active hand controllers in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. FIG. 3b is a diagram of a servo control loop for a single active hand controller in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the state detector and loop compensation parameter controller of the present invention. FIGS. 5-7 are signal flow diagrams in accordance with the invention of FIG. 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a force versus displacement curve for an active hand controller. The curve of FIG. 1 illustrates the requirement for a large null detent, i.e., a large nonlinearity in the force vs. displacement curve in the breakout force region, and the normal operating range limited by a softstop. When the stick has been moved to the softstop, an additional amount of force e.g. 5 lbs. is needed to move the stick beyond softstop. FIG. 2a illustrates a servo loop for a servo-coupled hand control system which includes a first manual control device and a second manual control device. First manual control device or stick 30 has a hand grip 31 and is connected to a force-moment cell 32 which is connected through a gimbal 34 and through a gear head (not shown) to an actuator 36 which provides a resisting force on the stick. The servo loop of FIG. 2a also includes a second manual control device or stick 40 having hand grip 41 and force-moment cell 42 connected in a manner similar to control device 30. Force-moment cells 32 and 42 may be devices of the type described in international patent application number PCT/US93/10458 or may be other types. For example a moment cell of the type located in line with the actuator may be used. Moment cell 32 provides torque signal T1 and moment cell 42 provides torque signal T2. A position detecting transducer generates position signal P1. Rate damping signal D is a velocity signal representing the rate at which actuator 36 is turning. Rate damping signal D could be provided by a tachometer, but is preferably provided by using a resolver to sense position and a resolver to digital converter chip that has a rate output which is rate damping signal D. The servo coupled hand controller block designated 43 includes the same type elements that are shown in FIG. 2a for manual control device 30. Summing device 44 has the following inputs: a position signal, P1, which represents the position of actuator 36 and changes linearly with actuator rotational position; a torque signal T1 representing the torque at control stick 30 and changes linearly with the force sensed at control stick 30; a coupling torque signal T2 representing the coupling torque and changing linearly with the force sensed at control stick 40; a rate damping signal D which changes linearly with actuator rotational velocity. P1, T1, T2, and D are all signals that have magnitude and polarity and may be represented by, for example, voltages between -10V DC and + 10 volts DC. Within summing device 44, T1 and T2 are summed and a scaling factor K T is applied to the result; a scaling factor K POS is applied to P1; and a rate damping scaling factor K D is applied to rate damping signal D. The application of the scaling factors provides resultant values for torque, position and rate damping which are then summed to provide an output 46. Summing device 44 can be implemented using an operational amplifier having four summing inputs. Loop gain amplifier 48 has a gain K L and output 46 of summing device 44 is operated on by loop gain K L to provide output 50. Proportional Gain/Integrator 52 includes a proportional gain K p and an integration time constant, τ. Proportional Gain/Integrator 52 has signal 50 as an input and output 54. Motor Controller amplifier 56 has a gain K mc and has output 54 of Proportional Gain/Integrator 52 as its input and converts input 54 to a motor winding torque command 58 which is applied to actuator 36. It is understood that a value or setting must be determined for the loop compensation parameters of K L , K p , τ and K mc shown in FIG 2a which will provide satisfactory operation e.g., sufficient peak force, stability and response. In the past a value was selected for K mc that would meet the maximum force requirement when proportional gain/integrator 52 was near saturation and other parameters were then selected. FIG. 3a illustrates an improved servo loop diagram. A flight control computer 60 provides a force scaling command signal 62 which controls certain characteristics of the force versus displacement curve shown in FIG. 1. For example during low speed flight, such as take-off and landing it is desirable to have movement of the hand controller be soft and easy, but during high speed flight conditions it is desirable to have movement of the hand controller be stiff and hard. Flight control computer 60 is capable of controlling the shape of the curve of FIG. 1. Hand controller 40 has a servo coupled loop 43 similar to the servo loop shown in FIG. 3a for hand controller 30. For simplicity, servo coupled loop controller 43 is not shown in its entirety. FIG. 3a illustrates the addition of a State Detector and Loop Compensation Parameter Controller 10 in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. State Detector and Loop Compensation Parameter Controller 10 will be referred to herein as SD & LCPC 10. In addition, rate gain amplifier 66, and position gain amplifier 68 have been added to the servo loop diagram of FIG. 3a. As shown in FIG. 3a SD & LCPC 10 accepts position signal P1' and torque signal T1 from hand controller 30 as inputs as well as coupling torque T2, and coupling position P2, from hand controller 40. In addition, flight control computer 60 provides force scaling command 62 to SD & LCPC 10. Rate gain amplifier 66 has rate damping signal D as an input, D' as an output, and a gain, K D , adjustable by signal 70 from SD & LCPC 10. Position gain amplifier has position signal P1 as an input, P1' as an output, and a gain, K POS adjustable by signal 72 from SD & LCPC 10. Summing device 44' has the following inputs: a position signal P1', a torque signal T1, a coupling torque signal T2, and a rate damping signal D'. Summing device 44' operation is generally similar to that of previously described summing device 44. Loop gain amplifier 48' has signal 46' as an input, and a gain, K L , adjustable by signal 74 and an output signal 50'. Proportional gain and integrator 52' has signal 50' as an input and signal 54' as an output. Proportional gain K p and integration time constant τ are adjustable by signal 76. Motor controller gain amplifier 56' has signal 54' as an input, signal 58' as an output and gain, K mc , adjustable by output signal 78 from SD & LCPC 10. SD & LCPC 10 may be implemented using analog electrical hardware or it may be implemented by using digital electronics and a software controlled processor. In an analog implementation SD & LCPC 10 would accept analog signals for torque T1, torque T2, position P1 and position P2. SD & LCPC 10 would provide analog control signals for signals 70, 72, 74, 76 and 78. One digital embodiment of SD & LCPC 10 is shown in functional block form in FIG. 4. Multiplexer 80 accepts inputs of torque T1, coupling torque T2, position P1', and coupling position P2. These inputs are multiplexed into analog to digital converter 82 and then into microprocessor 84. Force scaling command 62 is also an input to microprocessor 84. Microprocessor 84 is coupled to a lookup table 86 in memory. Microprocessor 84 provides outputs to Digital to analog converters 90. D/A converters 90 then provide the adjustment signals as follows. Signal 70 to adjust rate gain K D , signal 72 to adjust position gain K POS , signal 74 to adjust loop gain K L , signal 76a to adjust proportional gain, signal 76b to adjust the time constant τ of proportional gain and integrator 52' and signal 78 to adjust motor controller K mc . While the present invention has been described by reference to a system of coupled active hand controllers, it is to be understood that the principles of the invention are easily applied to a single active hand controller system. FIG. 2b illustrates a single stick system. It is noted that second manual control device 40, hand grip 41, force-moment cell 42, servo-coupled hand controller 43 and coupling torque T2, which were shown in FIG. 2a have been omitted in the illustration of FIG. 2b. Also, summing device 44b of FIG. 2b will only require torque T1, rate damping D and position P1 as inputs. FIG. 3b illustrates the application of the present invention to a single active hand controller system. Again, the devices associated with a second hand controller are omitted as in FIG. 2b and summing device 44b will only require torque T1, rate damping D and position P1 as inputs. In addition, SD & LCPC does not receive a coupling torque signal T2 on coupling position signal P2. Examples of the operation of LCPC 10 are given in the flow charts shown in FIGS. 5 - 7 which will be explained. FIG. 5 illustrates a flow diagram for the process of choosing motor controller gain based on measurements of torque T1 and coupling torque T2 and is not applicable to the single controller of FIG. 3b. In active hand controller systems under some conditions a pilot and a co-pilot may each be attempting to move their respective control stick in opposite directions. This is referred to a force fight and stable control system operation should continue when this condition occurs. SD & LCPC 10 as illustrated in FIG. 5 samples torque T1 and coupling torque T2 and when both T1 and T2 are above a threshold value, for example, 20 lbs., then K mc is increased so that the maximum force is slightly greater than the lesser of T1 and T2. Values for integration time constant τ, loop gain K L and proportional gain are then chosen from look up table 86. International patent application PCT/US93/10459 explains that the amount of rate damping required to stabilize an active hand controller about the null position exceeds that needed at other positions versus position curve of a motor to which such a control stick is connected to achieve breakout forces. International application PCT/US93/10459 discloses an analog implementation of an improvement which provides position dependent rate damping in an active hand controller. The digital means for implementing position dependent rate damping according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 6 which is a flow diagram for the process of selecting a value for rate gain, K D , based on the position of the hand controller. When the position is less than the high damping limit a high value of K D is used. For other positions a low default value is used for K D . FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of the process for selecting values for position gain, K POS , and damping gain, K D as a function of the force scaling command 62. When the force scaling command is large, high force scaling is selected and when force scaling command is small, low or default values are used for K POS and K D . Microprocessor 84 is suitably programmed to execute the processes shown in the flow diagrams of FIGS. 5, 6 and 7. Now that the basic operation of SD & LCPC 10 have been described, certain advantages can be set forth and appreciated. SD & LCPC 10 provides a method of setting K mc and K D relatively low, τ relatively fast, and K L and K p relatively high under some operating conditions, thus allowing for enhanced performance. Then, under other conditions, these parameters would be adjusted to generate the peak motor torque and maintain stability while operating under the other conditions. Examples of different operating conditions that would be sensed could include: a force fight between two operators where a very large motor force is required; the breakout region shown in FIG. 1 where stability is typically a problem; the force gradient region shown in FIG. 1 where smoothness is crucial and stability is not generally a problem; the softstop region shown in FIG. 1 where stability problems are also encountered. It may also be desirable to change K mc , τ, K L , K p , K D , and K POS through software as the characteristics of FIG. 1 change for different system modes, for example, high speed flight, low speed flight, zero g operation, hover mode, force reflection, and others. The present invention allows the designer to meet a wide range of operating requirements while at the same time enhance performance characteristics under each mode of operation. This technique is especially applicable to active hand controllers for several reasons. For example, the servo loop for an active hand controller must have stable performance characteristics when producing up to 50-100 pounds of force yet maintain a smooth 'feel' down to fractions of an ounce. Also, the servo loop must remain stable when programmed with a large null detent breakout force - typically up to 3 or 4 lbs, with approximately zero motion. Therefore, performance enhancements by using the described technique are significant, if not required, to meet the wide range of operating requirements for hand controllers. Referring to FIG. 3, SD & LCPC 10 would use a set of numbers for K mc , τ, K L , K p , and K D based on certain conditions, then when those conditions change, a new set of numbers is plugged in for K mc , τ, K L , K p , K D , and K POS . Or as an operational enhancement, the system could be designed to make linear, rather than discrete, changes in the parameters. For example, at the onset of a force fight, the gain K mc could be ramped up to meet the increasing force requirement.

Claims: An active hand controller system (30) for use with a flight control computer (60) providing a force scaling command signal (62) that manifests flight conditions and having a first hand controller (31) for operating a first actuator (36), comprising. rate detecting means (36) for providing a rate signal (D') from said first actuator (36); torque detecting means (32) for providing a first torque signal (T1) manifesting torque on the hand controller (31); position detecting means (36) for providing a first position signal (P1) manifesting the position of said first actuator: and signal processing means (10) for receiving said rate signal (D'), said first torque signal(T1), said first position signal (P1) and said force scaling command signal (62); characterized in that: a drive signal (58') for said first actuator (36) is derived by a summing device (44b) to which the position signal (P1), the rate signal (D') and the torque signal (T1) are fed, whereat a rate gain amplifier (66) having an adjustable gain (K D ), and a position gain amplifier (68) having an adjustable gain (K pos ), each are arranged at the corresponding inputs of the summing device (44b) and whereat the combined output of the summing device (44b) is converted into said drive signal (58') via the series connection of a loop gain amplifier (48') having an adjustable gain (K L ), a proportion gain and integrator (52') having an adjustable proportional gain (K p ) and integration time constant (τ), and a motor controller gain amplifier (56') having an adjustable gain (K mc ); with said processing means acting as a state detector and loop compensation parameter controller (10) providing in use adjustment signals (70 to 78) for said plurality of gain parameters (K pos , K D , K L , K p , and K mc ) and said time constant (τ) of said gain amplifiers (66,68,48',56') and said proportion gain and integrator (52'). Active hand controller system according to claim 1, characterized in that said controller means (10) accepts analog control signals and provides a plurality of analog control parameter adjustment signals. Active hand controller system according to claim 1 and 2, characterized in that said parameter controller means (10) comprises: multiplexing means (80) for receiving first and second torque signals (T1, T2), and first and second position signals (P1, P2) and providing a first output signal; first conversion means (82) connected to said multiplexing means for converting said first output signals into a first digital signal; processor means (84) including lookup means (86) connected to said first conversion means for receiving said first digital signal and processing said first digital signal according to a predetermined control sequence to arrive at a second output signal; and second conversion means (90) connected to said processor means for receiving said second output signal and converting said second signal into said plurality of parameter adjustment signals.

Inventors: GREGORY WILLIAM W, HEGG JEFFREY W, LANCE WAYNE E, GREGORY, WILLIAM W., HEGG, JEFFREY W., LANCE, WAYNE E.
Applicants: HONEYWELL INC, HONEYWELL INC.
Application year: 1994
Main classification: B64C13
IPC codes: G05G5, B64C13, G05D1